Are you working on the right solutions for your problems? Is there a way to approach innovation that’s more flexible and agile than the way you do it now?
Preparing a business case for a new project is a long and detailed process – and it might be obsolete by the time you finish. Design Thinking is a method that connects and empathises with your customers to validate your assumptions before you develop a new product, process or service.
This course is offered by Rotterdam School of Management b.v.. For more information about the legal structure of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, visit this page.
The online Design Thinking programme from RSM Executive Education gives you a methodology and tools to develop new ideas using your insights into your customers. Over six weeks, you will learn how to shift your mindset and embrace a radically different approach for the development of new products and services. You’ll be guided by Prof. Dirk Deichmann, an associate professor at RSM who specialises in successful idea generation, development, and implementation. Using design thinking to develop products and services will help you to see the value of your offering from your customers’ perspectives.
Maybe you’ve done online learning before, or perhaps it is new to you. Whichever type of learner you are, to maximise your experience, and to earn your certification there are three important things that we want to emphasise: attendance, collaboration, and academic honesty.
Please note, you may not be awarded your certificate if you have not fulfilled the above requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you are meeting the requirements at any time, please contact your programme manager or faculty member.
Initially I had doubts about the online nature of the programme: would it be as interactive and as much of a learning journey as an in-person course? I can now confirm "Yes!". The course was highly interactive, using virtual discussion boards and two live sessions in which we exchanged opinions and connected in person with the course participants. I acquired a totally different view of the definitions of success and failure, as well as the learning that comes with it.
The Design Thinking course allowed me to look at a problem in a different way; it introduced multifaceted tools to determine the root cause and subsequently ideate solutions using various techniques. I learned ways to gather consumer-centric insights which stretches beyond the data-driven insights that organisations tend to use. The course has really fortified my knowledge of how I can take an idea further; taking what is just a thought and making it tangible by applying design thinking tools.
Before taking RSM's online Design Thinking course, I was searching for a flexible, engaging program that could complement my existing knowledge and directly impact my work. I was specifically interested in structuring my understanding of Design Thinking. RSM's offering stood out with its focus on real-world applicability and a curriculum designed by excellent academic staff. I was amazed by how much I gained from a 6-week online course. The self-paced structure allowed me to truly absorb complex information, and the interactive online platform fostered genuine engagement with other students. The notification system was a surprisingly effective way to keep me on track! I found myself constantly connecting the course material to my daily tasks, even running brainstorming sessions and prototyping small-scale projects. This course has been a game-changer, equipping me with vital techniques for innovative thinking and resource optimization, which is particularly essential in the non-profit sector. It's definitely preparing me for future challenges.
During the Design Thinking Programme you will learn from Prof. Dirk Deichmann. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Dirk Deichmann is professor of creativity and innovation at RSM, holding the endowed Chair of Horticulture Innovation. His research addresses how managers can support the continuous and sustained generation of new ideas. Dirk identifies criteria for evaluating and selecting ideas, and tells firms about conditions that facilitate the use of high quality ideas. His research has been widely published. He teaches creativity, design thinking, and innovation management.
November 2025
Session 1 - 5 November 2025
Session 2 - 25 November 2025
Session 3 - 17 December 2025
May 2026
Session 1 - 20 May 2026
Session 2 - 10 June 2026
Session 3 - 24 June 2026
€ 1,300 (excl. 21% VAT).
15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM
All of our short courses can also be delivered as personalised in-company training to groups of employees from the same organisation. This enables us to develop a comprehensive programme that focuses on your organisation’s own unique situation and issues.
Programme advisor
It's my priority to help you identify how you can meet your professional objectives, so reach out and let's make a plan for your personal development.